William L. Shirer Quote

"To combat socialism Bismarck put through between 1883 and 1889 a program for social security far beyond anything known in other countries. It included compulsory insurance for workers against old age, sickness, accident and incapacity, and though organized by the State it was financed by employers and employees. It cannot be said that it stopped the rise of the Social Democrats or the trade unions, but it did have a profound influence on the working class in that it gradually made them value security over political freedom and caused them to see in the State, however conservative, a benefactor and a protector. Hitler, as we shall see, took full advantage of this state of mind. In this, as in other matters, he learned much from Bismarck. “I studied Bismarck’s socialist legislation,” Hitler remarks in Mein Kampf (p. 155), “in its intention, struggle and success.” "

by:

William L. Shirer(1904-1993) American journalist, war correspondent, historian, author

Source:

The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich: A History of Nazi Germany (New York: Simon and Schuster, 1960, 96.)

I'm not quite sure how to rate this. Implementing the greatest level of socialism to avoid socialism was probably a ploy. Maybe 5 stars for accuracy or a thumbs down for the pattern that has been played over and over again to implement socialism and take away individual freedom.-- Mike, Norwalk

" Security over political freedom. " That is the lure, that dupes the ignorant individual. Spreading weakness rather that strength. Destroying the resolve of adulthood, reducing generations to childhood ! One star for accuracy. -- Ronw13, Oregon

1

"Security over political freedom ... caused them to see in the State, however conservative, a benefactor and a protector." There you have it. The politician's bread and butter. Liberty means responsibility -- that's why most men avoid it.-- E Archer, NYC